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Coyotes-Wolves-Cougars.blogspot.com

Grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, coyotes, cougars/ mountain lions,bobcats, wolverines, lynx, foxes, fishers and martens are the suite of carnivores that originally inhabited North America after the Pleistocene extinctions.
This site invites research, commentary, point/counterpoint on that suite of native animals (predator and prey) that inhabited The Americas circa 1500-at the initial point of European exploration and subsequent colonization.
Landscape ecology, journal accounts of explorers and frontiersmen, genetic evaluations of museum animals, peer reviewed 20th and 21st century research on various aspects of our "Wild America" as well as subjective commentary from expert and layman alike. All of the above being revealed and discussed with the underlying goal of one day seeing our Continent rewilded.....Where big enough swaths of open space exist with connective corridors to other large forest, meadow, mountain, valley, prairie, desert and chaparral wildlands.....Thereby enabling all of our historic fauna, including man, to live in a sustainable and healthy environment. - Blogger Rick

Timber Rattlesnakes Control the Spread of Lyme Disease

A new finding by a team of biologists from the University of Maryland has shown that timber rattlesnakes indirectly benefit human health by controlling the spread of Lyme disease that causes neurological problems.

Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), a species of venomous pit viper and the most dangerous snake in North America, indirectly benefits humankind by checking the spread of Lyme disease. Through this finding the researchers highlight the importance of conserving all species.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through the bite of a particular type of tick. They feed on infected mice and other small mammals. But some animals such as foxes and other mammal predators help control the disease by curbing the population of the small mammals. A drop in the mammal predators can lead to a rise in Lyme disease in humans.

Lyme disease if not treated on time can lead to arthritis, it can affect the nervous system causing headache, paralysis of facial muscles and memory loss. One out of ten Lyme disease patients develops heart problems.

The timber rattlesnake is found in northeastern United States. The former University of Maryland graduate student Edward Kabay, through this study wanted to check whether rattlers also play a role in keeping Lyme disease in check.

Kabay based his finding on previously published studies that focused on the diet of the timber rattlers in four different sites in the Eastern forest. He wanted to check the number of small mammals the snakes consumed and then cross check that with the data on the average number of ticks each small mammal carried.

The numbers showed that annually each timber rattler removed 2,500-4,500 ticks from each site.

Timber rattlesnake is listed as an endangered species in six states and threatened in five states under the Endangered Species Act.

"Habitat loss, road kills, and people killing them out of fear are the big issues," said University of Maryland Associate Biology Prof. Karen Lips. "They are non-aggressive and rarely bite unless provoked or stepped upon."

The teams finding will be presented at the annual conference of the Ecological Society of America.

Two Massachusetts Eastern Coyotes at their den site

Eastern Wolf in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Aldo Leopold--3 quotes from his SAN COUNTY ALMANAC

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect."

Aldo Leopold

"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Aldo Leopold

''To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering."

Wildlife Rendezvous

Like so many conscientious hunters and anglers come to realize, good habitat with our full suite of predators and prey make for healthy and productive living............Teddy Roosevelt depicted at a "WILDLIFE RENDEZVOUS"

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Blog Disclaimer

This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. In addition, my thoughts and opinions change from time to time…I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. This blog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot and manifestation of my various thoughts and opinions, and as such any thoughts and opinions expressed within out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those I may hold today. All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Rick Meril and WWW.COYOTES-WOLVES-COUGARS.COM make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.